Anything unusual in this picture?
This picture was taken in Beijing in early morning 11/02. The picture was taken about one mile away from the Babaoshan state funeral place, the famous 八寶山革命公墓。The time was about between 8am and 8:30am. It was the day the former Chinese premier Li Keqiang's body to be cremated.
Two points worth mentioning. 1st, this was rush hour in workday morning. Beijing streets are notorious for its heavy traffic and congested roads. Usually the main street is full of vechiles and the traffic is down to crawling most of time. But in this particular day, the road is literally empty. The offical motorcade will be here any time in the morning. The city traffic control not only empty the main road but also clear the side street as well. You don't see any pedestrain either. There are spradic crowds far away from the curb side. 2nd, look at those people wearing black clothes on the right hand of the picture. They are plain clothes cops or special force members. there are several of them in almost every intersection. Think about the length of whole 長安街. Think about how many of them were deployed that morning. They are not taking chances. They don't want any surprises. Of course, there are many traffic cops with uniform. Those plain clothes people tried to blend in but their existance is so obvious. This shot was taken on the overhead bridge for pedestrain which is high up and across the main street. Three or five shots later, I was approached by one of those plain clothes persons. He reminded me with polite but very firm voice "I think you are done. Time to leave.(差不多得了，請離開）“
This is not the time to be cocky or to be brave. I left.
